Anxiety Sensitivity Among Children of Parents With Anxiety Disorders: A Controlled High-Risk Study

We investigated whether parental anxiety was related to anxiety sensitivity (AS) in offspring. Subjects were 261 offspring (aged 6–17 years) of parents with lifetime DSM-IV anxiety and/or mood disorders, and 79 offspring of parents with no lifetime anxiety, mood, or psychotic disorder. Parents and offspring were interviewed by blind clinicians. Children were administered the Child Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI). There were no significant differences between CASI scores of the offspring of parents with anxiety and/or mood disorders, and offspring of comparison parents. We conclude that parental anxiety or mood disorder does not predispose offspring to high anxiety sensitivity.